HC Deb 09 May 1956 vol 552 cc1196-7
21 Mr. Vane

asked the Postmaster-General his policy with regard to the sharing of masts at television relay stations between the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority.

Dr. Hill

Where the area to be served is broadly the same, mast sharing is the ideal solution on technical as well as aesthetic grounds. At my request, the B.B.C. and I.T.A. are studying their siting problems from this point of view.

Mr. Vane

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether this praiseworthy cooperation is taking place in Cumberland, and will he do all he can to ensure, particularly in areas where a number of masts are unsightly, to ensure that this co-operation takes place?

Dr. Hill

I can assure my hon. Friend on the general point that I shall do my utmost to avoid duplication of masts. In the case of Cumberland, the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. have agreed to co-operate so as to avoid duplication of masts.

Mr. Hobson

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his powers to instruct the B.B.C., when it presents its report and accounts to this House, that the actual cost or rental of the sharing of masts should be made obvious to hon. Members?

Dr. Hill

I will look into the point raised by the hon. Gentleman.